Page 1 of 25

UNIT 3

SECONDARY TREATMENT METHODS

Secondary wastewater treatment processes use microorganisms to biologically remove

contaminants from wastewater. Secondary biological processes can be aerobic or anaerobic,
each process utilizing a different type of bacterial community. Coupled anaerobic–aerobic
processes may also be employed under certain circumstances.

Aerobic

Aerobic biological processes are common in municipal wastewater treatment. In an aerobic

system, the organic contaminants are converted to carbon dioxide, water, additional
microorganisms, and other end products.

Aerobic lagoons

Lagoons are typically large, shallow earthen basins that provide adequate residence time for
the wastewater to be treated naturally by both bacteria and algae.

Activated sludge

A suspended-growth aerobic biological process in which microorganisms remove

carbonaceous matter from wastewater in an aerobic environment.

Rotating biological contactor

An attached-growth process consisting of a series of closely spaced, parallel discs mounted

on a rotating shaft which is partially submerged in the wastewater being treated.
Microorganisms grow on the surface of the discs where aerobic biological degradation of the
wastewater pollutants takes place.

Trickling filter

An attached-growth process where wastewater is distributed over a fixed bed of media such
as rocks, gravel, plastic substrate, etc. The wastewater flows downward over the media
surface where microorganisms form a layer of biomass and consume contaminants in the
water.

Anaerobic

Anaerobic biological treatment processes employ organisms that function in the absence of
molecular oxygen. Anaerobic processes convert organic contaminants to a biofuel gas
comprising carbon dioxide, methane, and other end products. Anaerobic processes are
generally used to treat high-strength wastewaters where it is impractical to utilize aerobic
processes or where producing a biofuel gas is desired. Anaerobic processes also use
considerably less energy than mechanical aeration processes. Anaerobic processes are loosely
organized as either suspended or attached-growth systems.
 Page 2 of 25

TRICKLING FILTRATION

Definition of Trickling Filter Process

Trickling filter process can define as the biological system, which tends to separate or
degrade the maximum organic and inorganic waste (up to 85%) out of the primary or raw
sludge via the slime layer. The designing of a trickling filter unit includes a support structure,
pebble or plastic filled media and rotary distributor.
It works under the aerobic conditions and makes the use of aerobic microbes so that they can
exploit or oxidize the organic matter into a simpler form. The filter bed is placed below the
pebble filled media, which aids the separation of secondary effluent out of waste activated
sludge. The final effluent is released from the outlet pipe and further treated with
disinfectants like chlorine, UV, ozone etc. to make it safe for disposal.

Operation
The trickling filter process goes through a series of operation, which involves the following
stages:

Introduction of the settled sewage

The raw or primary sewage from the primary clarifier tank enters the trickling filter tank at
a steady rate. The sewage must be primarily treated via a series of operations like screening,
grit removal and primary clarifiers to prevent clogging in the trickling filter system. Primary
influent that enter the trickling filter unit is free from coarse objects, suspended solids, rags
etc. A dosing device (tipping bucket) is a piece of equipment allowing the supernatant to
flow upwards to the arms of the perforated rotary distributor.
Sewage flushing
The primary sewage flushes downward via a perforated rotary distributor, which evenly
distribute the sewage over the filter matrix. The filter bed is packed with constituents like
rock, gravel, redwood, synthetic material etc. that acts as a media for the attachment of the
microorganisms. Therefore, the trickling filter is the best example of an attached growth
system, in which biomass is directly associated with the media instead of sewage suspension.
Passage through the filter media
The filter media is chiefly composed of porous media that increases the surface area for the
decomposition of the organic matter by the microorganisms. Trickling filters are generally
 Page 3 of 25

available as the standard rate and high rate filter, in which both have different hydraulic and
organic loading rate. It is also provided with air vents and backwashing to avoid odour, fly
breeding and to clog problems.

Pollutant degradation
The microorganisms attached to the filter bed utilize organic waste as a food material. The
pollutants like organic and inorganic waste in the sewage suspension go through
the absorption and adsorption into and over the filter bed by the microbial slime layer.
Oxygen utilization by the microorganisms
The treated primary sewage splashes through the arm of a rotary distributor provide the
oxygen supply in the form of dissolved oxygen. Oxygen is drawn into the filter media via
vacuum or chimney effect. The bio-film layer uses the dissolved oxygen trapped within the
filter media and oxidize the organic compounds by releasing carbon dioxide gas, water and
other oxidized end products.

Slime layer
It also refers as a slime layer, which contains aerobic biomass of the surface of the filter bed
up to the thickness of 0.1-0.2mm. In contrast, the remaining area contains anaerobic
biomass. The above surface containing aerobic microbes is considered as the rapid growth
phase region, as the microorganisms harness direct sunlight and maximum amount of oxygen
to degrade the organic waste.
In contrast, the lower surface containing anaerobic microorganisms is considered as
the oxygen-deficient region, in which the microbes enter the endogenous phase to utilize
their own cell for the growth. After a certain point, the biofilm layer thickens gradually by the
organic matter decomposition, and later it sloughs off into the liquid flow and further
separated inside the clarifier or sedimentation tank out of effluent.

Design
Trickling filter functions as a bioreactor in the secondary wastewater treatment, and its layout
includes the following:
 Page 4 of 25

Filter bed: It is a bed chiefly containing crushed rock or other coarse media. The
construction of a filter bed is roughly 6 feet deep and 200 feet in thickness. Settled sewage
is flushed evenly over the filter bed containing organic and inorganic waste via continuously
rotating distributor‘s arm. Holes within the rotary distributor arm facilitates the trickling of
primary influent and settled sewage throughout the filter bed.

Microbial film: Within the filter media some aerobic microbes are found on the surface, and
some anaerobic microorganisms are found below the filter media. As the wastewater trickles
downward, the microorganisms associated with the filter media starts utilizing the organic
matter of the wastewater and forms a later called microbial slime. Thus, the microorganisms
in the filter media play a pivotal role in degrading the organic matter in the sewage, thereby
minimizes BOD and COD from the sewage.

Drainage system: The treated wastewater from the trickling filter bed goes down the
drainage system and further undergoes tertiary treatment via membrane filter and
disinfection before secondary sedimentation. A secondary clarifier is a sedimentation unit,
which separates the small colloids, suspended particles etc. at the bottom out of waste fluid.
Besides, the tertiary treatment is also necessary for the safe disposal of the effluent, as this
step eliminates the pathogenic microorganisms. In contrast, the oxidized or decomposed
organic matter sloughed down and recycled back in the trickling filter mediated via return
pump.
 Page 5 of 25

Types of Trickling Filters

Depending upon the hydraulic and organic shock load, trickling filters can be categorized into
two types, namely high rate and low rate trickling filter. The hydraulic loading rate can
define as the sewage flow (Q) per unit volume (V) of filter bed in a day, while the organic
loading rate can define as the kilograms of BOD (Y5) introduced into the per unit volume (V)
in a day.

1. The BOD removal efficiency of both standard and high rate trickling filter is about 75 to
90%. The nitrification of the primary effluent is relatively higher in low rate filters,
whereas high rate trickling filters produce partially nitrified effluent.
2. Low rate and high rate trickling filter are suitable for the treatment of low to high strength
domestic wastewaters and industrial wastewater.
3. Recirculation of the effluent is not provided in the low rate filters. In contrast, high rate
filters are provided with return pump between the trickling filter tank and secondary
clarifier that aids in effluent recirculation.
Advantages
 It is a simple and reliable secondary treatment unit of the wastewater.
 It can be used to degrade a variety of organic waste.
 Trickling filter can resist shock loadings.
 It efficiently oxidizes the ammonia or efficient in ammonium oxidation.
 Trickling filter aids to produce effluent free of BOD, COD, nutrients, suspended colloids
etc.
 Its construction requires a small land area, unlike constructed wetlands.
Disadvantages
 Its designing requires high capital costs.
 The designing of a trickling filter requires expert skills.
 Its operation and maintenance require regular attention by the skilled labour personnel.
 The trickling filter process is a continuous process, which needs an uninterrupted supply
of electricity and wastewater distribution.
 It sometimes causes flies breeding and odour problem.
 The effluent produced by the trickling filter needs to treated further by the chemical
disinfectants.
 Accumulation of excessive biomass may cause clogging of the TF-unit.
 Not all parts and materials may be locally available.
 Page 6 of 25

ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS

Activated sludge (AS) is a process dealing with the treatment

of sewage and industrial wastewaters and developed around 1912-1914. There is a large
varity of design, however, in principle all AS consist of three main components:
an aeration tank, which serves as bio reactor; a settling tank ("final clarifier") for seperation
of AS solids and treated waste water; a return activated sludge (RAS) equipment to transfer
settled AS from the clarifier to the influent of the aeration tank (Fig. 1). Atmospheric air or in
rare cases pure oxygen is introduced to a mixture of primary treated or
screened sewage (or industrial wastewater) combined with organisms to develop a biological
floc ("Activated Sludge" AS). The mixture of raw sewage (or industrial wastewater) and
biological mass is commonly known as Mixed Liquor. Typically, dry solids concentrations of
mixed liquor (MLSS) range from 3 to 6 g/L. With all activated sludge plants, the
concentration of biodegradable components present in the influent is reduced due to
biological (and sometimes chemical) processes in the aeration tank. The removal efficiency is
controlled by different boundary conditions, e.g. the hydraulic residence time (HRT) in
the aeration tank, which is defined by aeration tank volume divided by the flow rate. Other
factors are: Influent load (BOD5, COD, Nitrogen,...) in relation to the AS solids present in
the aeration tank (Food:Microorganism Ratio, F:M Ratio), oxygen supply, temperature, etc.
At the effluent of the aeration tank, mixed liquor is discharged into settling tanks and the
supernatant (treated waste water) is run off to be discharged to a natural water or undergo
further treatment before discharge. The settled AS is returned to the head of the aeration tank
(RAS) to re-seed the new sewage (or industrial wastewater) entering the tank and to ensure
the desired MLSS concentration in the aeration tank. Due to biological growth (and solids
present in the raw waste water which are only partly degraded), excess sludge eventually
accumulates beyond the desired MLSS concentration in the aeration tank. This amount of
solid (called Waste Activated Sludge WAS) is removed from the treatment process to keep
the ratio of biomass to food supplied (sewage or wastewater) in balance and the F:M ratio in
a defined range. WAS is stored away from the main treatment process in storage tanks and is
further treated by digestion, either under anaerobic or aerobic conditions prior to disposal.

Figure1. The diagram of activated sludge process

Many sewage treatment plants use axial flow pumps to transfer nitrified mixed liquor from
the aeration zone to the anoxic zone for de-nitrification. These pumps are often referred to as
Internal Mixed Liquor Recycle pumps (IMLR pumps). The raw sewage, the RAS, and the
 Page 7 of 25

nitrified mixed liquor are mixed by submersible mixers in the anoxic zones in order to
achieve de-nitrification.

Purpose

 In a sewage (or industrial wastewater) treatment plant, the activated sludge process
can be used for one or several of the following purposes:
 oxidizing carbonaceous matter: biological matter.
 oxidizing nitrogeneous matter: mainly ammonium and nitrogen in biological
materials.
 removing phosphate.
 driving off entrained gases carbon dioxide, ammonia, nitrogen, etc.
 generating a biological floc that is easy to settle.
 generating a liquor low in dissolved or suspended material

History
The activated sludge process was discovered in 1913 in the UK by two engineers, Edward
Arden and W.T. Lockett, conducting research for the Manchester Corporation Rivers
Department at Davyhulme Sewage Works. Experiments on treating sewage in a draw-and-fill
reactor (the precursor to today's sequencing batch reactor) produced a highly treated effluent.
Believing that the sludge had been activated (in a similar manner to activated carbon) the
process was named activated sludge. Not until much later was it realized that what had
actually occurred was a means to concentrate biological organisms, decoupling the liquid
retention time (ideally, low, for a compact treatment system) from the solids retention time
(ideally, fairly high, for an effluent low in BOD5 and ammonia.)

Activated Sludge Process Variables

The main variables of activated sludge process are the mixing regime, loading rate, and the
flow scheme.

Mixing Regime
Generally two types of mixing regimes are of major interest in activated sludge process: plug
flow and complete mixing. In the first one, the regime is characterized by orderly flow of
mixed liquor through the aeration tank with no element of mixed liquor overtaking or mixing
with any other element. There may be lateral mixing of mixed liquor but there must be no
mixing along the path of flow.

In complete mixing, the contents of aeration tank are well stirred and uniform throughout.
Thus, at steady state, the effluent from the aeration tank has the same composition as
the aeration tank contents.
 Page 8 of 25

The type of mixing regime is very important as it affects (1) oxygen transfer requirements in
the aeration tank, (2) susceptibility of biomass to shock loads, (3) local environmental
conditions in the aeration tank, and (4) the kinetics governing the treatment process.

Flow Scheme
The flow scheme involves:
 the pattern of sewage addition
 the pattern of sludge return to the aeration tank and
 the pattern of aeration.
Sewage addition may be at a single point at the inlet end or it may be at several points along
the aeration tank. The sludge return may be directly from the settling tank to the aeration tank
or through a sludge reaeration tank. Aeration may be at a uniform rate or it may be varied
from the head of the aeration tank to its end.

Types of plants
There are a variety of types of activated sludge plants. These include:

Package plants
There are a wide range of other types of plants, often serving small communities
or industrial plants that may use hybrid treatment processes often involving the use of
aerobic sludge to treat the incoming sewage. In such plants the primary settlement stage of
treatment may be omitted. In these plants, a biotic floc is created which provides the required
substrate.
Package plants are commonly variants of extended aeration, to promote the 'fit & forget'
approach required for small communities without dedicated operational staff. There are
various standards to assist with their design.

Oxidation ditch
In some areas, where more land is available, sewage is treated in large round or oval ditches
with one or more horizontal aerators typically called brush or disc aerators which drive the
mixed liquor around the ditch and provide aeration. These are oxidation ditches, often
referred to by manufacturer's trade names such as Pasveer, Orbal, or Carrousel. They have the
advantage that they are relatively easy to maintain and are resilient to shock loads that often
occur in smaller communities (i.e at breakfast time and in the evening).
Oxidation ditches are installed commonly as 'fit & forget' technology, with typical design
parameters of a hydraulic retention time of 24-48 hours, and a sludge age of 12-20 days. This
compares with nitrifying activated sludge plants having a retention time of 8 hours, and
a sludge age of 8-12 days.

Deep Shaft
Where land is in short supply sewage may be treated by injection of oxygen into a pressured
return sludge stream which is injected into the base of a deep columnar tank buried in the
ground. Such shafts may be up to 100 m deep and are filled with sewage liquor. As
the sewage rises the oxygen forced into solution by the pressure at the base of the shaft
breaks out as molecular oxygen providing a highly efficient source of oxygen for the
activated sludge biota. The rising oxygen and injected return sludgeprovide the physical
mechanism for mixing of the sewage and sludge. Mixed sludge and sewage is decanted at the
 Page 9 of 25

surface and separated into supernatant and sludgecomponents. The efficiency of deep shaft
treatment can be high. Surface aerators are commonly quoted as having
an aeration efficiency of 0.5-1.5 kg O2/kWh, diffused aeration as 1.5-2.5 kg O2/KWh. Deep
Shaft claims 5-8 kg O2/kWh. However, the costs of construction are high. Deep Shaft has
seen greatest uptake in Japan, because of the land area issues. Deep Shaft was developed by
ICI, as a spin-off from their Pruteen process. In the UK it is found at three sites: Tilbury,
Anglian water, treating a wastewater with a high industrial contribution; Southport, United
Utilities, because of land space issues; and Billingham, ICI, again treating industrial effluent,
and built (after the Tilbury shafts) by ICI to help the agent sell more. Deep Shaft is a
patented, licensed, process. The licensee has changed several times and, currently (2007), it is
Aker Kvaerner Engineering Services.

Surface-aerated basins

A Typical Surface-Aerated Basing (using motor-driven floating aerators)

Most biological oxidation processes for treating industrial wastewaters have in common the
use of oxygen (or air) and microbial action. Surface-aerated basins achieve 80 to 90%
removal of BOD with retention times of 1 to 10 days. The basins may range in depth from 1.5
to 5.0 m and utilize motor-driven aerators floating on the surface of the wastewater.
In an aerated basin system, the aerators provide two functions: they transfer air into the basins
required by the biological oxidation reactions, and they provide the mixing required for
dispersing the air and for contacting the reactants (that is, oxygen, wastewater and microbes).
Typically, the floating surface aerators are rated to deliver the amount of air equivalent to 1.8
to 2.7 kg O2/kWh. However, they do not provide as good mixing as is normally achieved in
activated sludge systems and therefore aerated basins do not achieve the same performance
level as activated sludge units.
Biological oxidation processes are sensitive to temperature and, between 0 °C and 40 °C, the
rate of biological reactions increase with temperature. Most surface aerated vessels operate at
between 4 °C and 32 °C.

Aeration methods

Diffused Aeration
Sewage liquor is run into deep tanks with diffuser blocks attached to the floor. These are like
the diffuser blocks used in tropical fish tanks but on a much larger scale. Air is pumped
through the blocks and the curtain of bubbles formed both oxygenates the liquor and also
provide the necessary stirring action. Where capacity is limited or the sewage is unusually
strong or difficult to treat, oxygen may be used instead of air. Typically, the air is generated
by some type of blower or compressor.

Surface aerators
Vertically mounted tubes of up to 1 m diameter extending from just above the base of a deep
concrete tank to just below the surface of the sewage liquor. A typical shaft might be 10 m
high. At the surface end the tube is formed into a cone with helical vanes attached to the inner
surface. When the tube is rotated, the vanes spin liquor up and out of the cones drawing
new sewage liquor from the base of the tank. In many works each cone is located in a
separate cell that can be isolated from the remaining cells if required for maintenance. Some
works may have two cones to a cell and some large works may have 4 cones per cell.
 Page 10 of 25

AERATED LAGOONS

Principe of Aerated Lagoon

An aerated lagoon is a suspended-growth process in waste water treatment unit. The aerated
lagoon water treatment system consists of a large earthen lagoon or basin that is equipped
with mechanical aerators to maintain an aerobic environment and to prevent settling of the
suspend biomass. It is provided with inlet at one end and outlet at the other end to enable the
wastewater to flow through and to retain for the specified detention time. Initially, the
population of microorganisms in an aerated lagoon is much lower than that in an ASP
because there is no sludge recycle. Therefore, a significantly longer residence time is required
to achieve the same effluent quality. However, this longer residence time may be an
advantage when complex organic chemicals are to be degraded. Also, the microorganisms in
aerated lagoons are more resistant to process upsets caused by feed variations than those in
ASP because of the larger tank volumes and longer residence times used. The major
difference between the ASP and aerated lagoons is that in the latter settling tanks and sludge
recirculation arrangements are absent. The aerated lagoons water treatment may be provided
with maturation pond for further treatment of effluent as shown below.

Types of aerated lagoons

Aerated lagoons are of two types depending on how the microbial mass of solids in the
system is handled. They are a) Suspended growth aerated lagoon and b) Facultative aerated
lagoons.

Suspended Growth Aerated lagoons

Suspended growth aerated lagoons are relatively shallow earthen basins of depth varying
from 2 to 5 m provided with mechanical aerators on floats or fixed platforms. Mechanical
aerators are used to provide oxygen for biological treatment of wastewater as well as keep the
biological solids in suspension. They are fully aerobic from top to bottom as the aeration
power input is sufficiently high to keep the solids in suspension with complete mixing. No
settlement occurs in such lagoons and under equilibrium conditions the new (microbial)
solids produced in the system equal to the solids leaving the system. Thus, the solids
concentration in the effluent is relatively high and some further treatment is generally
provided after such lagoon.

Because of a suspended growth system of a complete mix reactor without recycle, the basis
of design is SRT, which is equal to HRT under ideal flow condition. Typical design values of
SRT for aerated lagoons used for treating domestic wastewater vary from 3 to 6 days

Facultative Aerated Lagoon

In facultative aerated lagoon water treatment, some solids leave along with the effluent
stream and some settle down in the lagoon since aeration power is sufficient for oxygenation
and not for keeping solids in suspension. As the lower part of such lagoons may be anaerobic
while the upper layers are aerobic, the term facultative is attached to the aerated lagoon.
Facultative aerated lagoons have been more commonly used the world over because of their
 Page 11 of 25

simplicity in operation and minimum need of machinery. They are often referred to simply as
aerated lagoon. Much less land is required compared to oxidation ponds. Facultative aerated
lagoons can provide 70 – 80% BOD removal from readily degradable wastes such as
domestic sewage.

Mixing

Mixing of water is beneficial from several points of view. Without mixing thermo
stratification will occur, thereby permitting the retention of undisturbed surface layers for
relatively long periods of time. Such conditions provide an excellent environment for algae to
become established and grow. Mixing will also exhaust the carbon dioxide from the system.
At lower mixing intensities, algae will grow provided the HRT is sufficient. Mixing is
provided by the aeraters.

The aerators can be either fixed type or floating type.

Fixed type aerators are mounted on structural columns and carefully leveled with regard to
the outlet weir level to ensure required submergence of aerator blades to give the oxygenation
capacity. Floating type of aerator is mounted on pontoons. They have the advantage of being
able to adjust themselves to actual levels in the lagoon due to fluctuating inflows and or
seepage.
The placement of the aerators in waste water treatment system is an important aspect in
achieving effective dispersion of the oxygen and mixing with sufficient overlap of the
dispersion and mixing zones. Because so many different types of aerators used in aerated
lagoons, manufacturer‘s literature should be consulted to determine appropriate aerator
spacing. Maximum spacing between surface aerators should not exceed 75 m. In general, a
number of smaller aeration devices, spaced more closely, will be more effective than a few
larger devices. For depths greater than 4.0 m aerator with draft tubes may be considered to
prevent solids deposition.

Design of the Aerated Lagoons:

Design Variables:

For facultative aerated lagoons, the dispersed flow model gives the relation between influent
and effluent substrate concentrations, S0 and S, respectively and other variables such as the
nature of the waste, the detention period and the mixing conditions

Mixing Conditions:

The mixing conditions in a lagoon are reflected by the term d which is known as the
dispersion number and equals (D/UL) or (Dt/L2). It is affected by various factors.
Values of D/UL can be determined by conducting dye (tracer) tests on existing units using
well known methods, but where D/UL values are required for design purposes prior to
construction; they can be estimated either from lab-scale models or by using empirical
equations available.

Low values of D/UL signify plug flow conditions and generally give higher efficiencies of
substrate removal whereas the converse is the case with higher values of D/UL. However,
 Page 12 of 25

process efficiency is not the only consideration; process stability under fluctuating inflow
quality and quantity conditions, has also to be kept in view.

For municipal or domestic sewage, relatively plug flow type conditions (i.e., low values of
DU/L) are preferred. In case of industrial wastes, relatively well mixed conditions (i.e.,
higher values of D/UL) may be preferred depending upon the nature of industrial waste; the
greater the fluctuations in quality and quantity of industrial wastes, the greater the advantage
in adopting well mixed conditions

Construction Details:

Lagoons are generally rectangular in shape though it is not absolutely essential. Natural land
contours may be followed to the extent possible to save on earthwork. Lagoon units may be
built with different length-width ratios and arrangement of internal baffles to promote desired
mixing conditions. Lagoons may also be provided as two or three stage systems with the
subsequent units placed at a lower level than the first if desired.
Construction techniques for aerated lagoons are similar to those used in case of oxidation
ponds with earthen embankments. Pitching of the embankment is desirable to protect it
against erosion. In cases where soil percolation is expected, suitable lining may have to be
provided to maintain the design level in the lagoon and avoid pollution of groundwater.

Advantages of Aerated Lagoons:

(i) The aerated lagoons are simple and rugged in operation, the only moving piece of
equipment being the aerator.
(ii) The removal efficiencies in terms of power input are comparable to some of the other
aerobic treatment methods.
(iii) Civil construction mainly entails earthwork, and land requirement is not excessive.
Aerated lagoons require only 5 to 10 percent as much land as stabilization ponds.
(iv) The aerated lagoons are used frequently for the treatment of industrial wastes.
 Page 13 of 25

SECONDARY SEDIMENTATION
Page 14 of 25
Page 15 of 25
Page 16 of 25
 Page 17 of 25

OXIDATION PONDS

Oxidation pond refers to the stabilization pond that stabilizes the domestic, trade, and
industrial wastes etc. by the microbial interaction (primarily bacteria and algae). It seems
like a large shallow pond with 2-6 feet height of water body. Oxidation pond requires the
presence of sunlight and oxygen for the secondary treatment of domestic and trade wastes.
The secondary treatment of the organic and inorganic waste coming from raw sewage and
industrial effluents is necessary. The direct disposal of the wastewater to the aquatic system
can affect the life of water-bodies and the quality of water as well.

Mechanism of Waste Treatment

1. First, the bacteria present in the oxidation pond will oxidize the organic waste of the
domestic as well as industrial sewage. By doing this, bacteria release carbon dioxide,
water and ammonia.
2. The algal growth occurs in the presence of sunlight. It utilizes the inorganic
wastes formed by the organic matter decomposition and releases oxygen.

From the above two mechanisms, it is clear that the algae and bacteria work mutually to
fulfill each other‘s requirement. The bacteria use oxygen released by the algae, to oxidize the
biodegradable organics. A carbon-dioxide release as the result of organic waste oxidation by
the bacteria and later used by the algae to facilitate reduction of inorganic wastes like
nitrogen, phosphorus compounds etc.

As the oxidation and reduction reaction co-occurs, an oxidation pond is sometimes called
―Redox pond‖. The sludge of oxidation pond can be utilized as a manure for the irrigation
processes.
 Page 18 of 25

Process Involved in Oxidation Pond

The process involved in the conversion of industrial and domestic wastewater into simple
form includes:

1. Firstly, the industrial or domestic wastewater influents enter the oxidation pond through
the inlet system.
2. Then, the bacteria utilize the biodegradable organics and convert them into inorganic
compounds by releasing carbon dioxide. Achromobacter, Proteus, Alcaligenes,
Pseudomonas, Thiospirillum, Rhodothecae etc. are the following genera of the bacteria
that predominate in the stabilization pond.
3. The algal biomass in the oxidation pond utilize the inorganic compounds in the presence
of sunlight and carbon-dioxide released during the oxidation of organic waste.
Chlorella, Euglena, Scenedermus and Microcystis are the most common genera of algae
that predominate in the stabilization pond.
4. Remaining non-biodegradable or solid organic wastes settle down in the bottom of
stabilization pond as sludge. The anaerobic bacteria convert them during the night and in
the absence of oxygen. The anaerobic bacteria first convert the insoluble organic waste
into soluble organic acids like ethanol. Further decomposition of organic acids by the
anaerobic bacteria release H2S, NH3, CH4, CO2 etc.
5. The treated water releases out through outlet system of a stabilization pond. By
employing dredging method, one can seperate the sludge deposits from the stabilization
pond. Filtration method or the combination of chemical treatment and settling process
seperates the algal and bacterial biomass.
6.
 Page 19 of 25

Favourable Conditions
Secondary treatment of wastewater in an oxidation pond requires the following
environmental factors:
1. Sunlight: It is necessary for the algal growth, which in turn can utilize the inorganic
wastes produced by the bacteria. Algae release oxygen only in the presence of
sunlight, and the bacteria use this oxygen to oxidize more organic matter.
2. Microorganisms: The microorganisms in the stabilization pond perform a
fundamental role in the conversion of organic wastes into a simple forms. Bacteria,
algae, fungi, protozoans, insects, larvae, crustaceans, viruses, rotifers, nematodes etc.
are the common microorganisms in the stabilization pond.Among these
microorganisms, bacteria and algae dominate and carry out a conversion of organic
matter by reduction-oxidation reactions. In stabilization pond, some organisms
compete with each other, and some live symbiotically to convert the wastewater
influent into reclaimed effluent.
3. Oxygen: For the oxidation of biodegradable organic waste, there must be
considerable demand for oxygen. The bacteria need oxygen to convert the organics
into simple inorganic compounds. The heterotrophic bacteria fulfil their oxygen
requirement through the oxygen released by the algae and the atmospheric oxygen.
4. Wastewater quality: The quality of wastewater is a factor that decides the type of
treatment method that has to be employed. Initially, the stabilization pond treat the
strong industrial organic wastes. Domestic wastewater can be subjected to the tertiary
treatment.
5. Pollutant load: More pollutants in the wastewater may affect the efficiency of the
entire stabilization pond community. Contaminants in the wastewater sometimes can
also be toxic and may cause shock load and release effluent of poor quality.

Advantages
 The stabilization pond reduces the biological oxygen demand up to 90% naturally.
 It is a simple method to operate, or does not require sophisticated equipment.
 Oxidation pond is a practical and effective method for the wastewater treatment of
domestic and trade wastes in the tropical areas.
 The operation of a stabilization pond does not require much labour-power.
 It is an economical method for the treatment of wastewater from small and isolated units.

Disadvantages
 The construction of a stabilization pond requires more land area.
 The maintenance is quite intricate.
 Sometimes, it gives a foul smell and mosquito menace during the process, if not
appropriately maintained.
 There may get a chance of effluent seepage into the ground water, which can ultimately
cause ground water pollution.
 Page 20 of 25

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
Sludge digestion is a biological process in which organic solids are decomposed into stable
substances. Digestion reduces the total mass of solids, destroys pathogens, and makes it
easier to dewater or dry the sludge. Digested sludge is inoffensive, having the appearance and
characteristics of a rich potting soil. Most large sewage treatment plants use a two-stage
digestion system in which organics are metabolized by bacteria anaerobically (in the absence
of oxygen). In the first stage, the sludge, thickened to a dry solids (DS) content of about 5
percent, is heated and mixed in a closed tank for several days. Acid-forming bacteria
hydrolyze large molecules such as proteins and lipids, breaking them into smaller water-
soluble molecules, and then ferment those smaller molecules into various fatty acids. The
sludge then flows into a second tank, where the dissolved matter is converted by other
bacteria into biogas, a mixture of carbon dioxide and methane. Methane is combustible and is
used as a fuel to heat the first digestion tank as well as to generate electricity for the plant.
Anaerobic digestion is very sensitive to temperature, acidity, and other factors. It requires
careful monitoring and control. In some cases, the sludge is inoculated with extra
hydrolytic enzymes at the beginning of the first digestion stage in order to supplement the
action of the bacteria. It has been found that this enzymatic treatment can destroy more
unwanted pathogens in the sludge and also can result in the generation of more biogas in the
second stage of digestion. Another enhancement of the traditional two-stage anaerobic
digestion process is thermal hydrolysis, or the breaking down of the large molecules by heat.
This is done in a separate step before digestion. In a typical case, the process begins with a
sludge that has been dewatered to a DS content of some 15 percent. The sludge is mixed with
steam in a pulper, and this hot homogenized mixture is fed to a reactor, where it is held under
pressure at approximately 165 °C (about 330 °F) for about 30 minutes. At that point, with the
hydrolytic reactions complete, some of the steam is bled off (to be fed to the pulper), and the
sludge, still under some pressure, is released suddenly into a ―flash tank,‖ where the sudded
drop in pressure bursts the cell walls of much of the solid matter. The hydrolyzed sludge is
cooled, diluted slightly with water, and then sent directly to the second stage of anaerobic
digestion. Sludge digestion may also take place aerobically—that is, in the presence of
oxygen. The sludge is vigorously aerated in an open tank for about 20 days. Methane gas is
not formed in this process. Although aerobic systems are easier to operate than anaerobic
systems, they usually cost more to operate because of the power needed for aeration. Aerobic
digestion is often combined with small extended aeration or contact stabilization systems.
Aerobic and conventional anaerobic digestion convert about half of the organic sludge solids
to liquids and gases. Thermal hydrolysis followed by anaerobic digestion can convert some
60 to 70 percent of the solid matter to liquids and gases. Not only is the volume of solids
produced smaller than in conventional digestion, but the greater production of biogas can
make some wastewater treatment plants self-sufficient in energy. Anaerobic treatment is a
proven and energy-efficient method for treating industrial wastewater. It uses anaerobic
bacteria (biomass) to convert organic pollutants or COD (chemical oxygen demand) into
biogas in an oxygen-free environment. Anaerobic micro-organisms (specific to oxygen-free
conditions) are selected for their ability to degrade organic matter present in industrial
effluents, converting organic pollutants into biogas (methane + carbon dioxide) and a small
amount of biosolids. The energy-rich biogas can then be used for boiler feed and/or combined
heat and power (CHP) to produce ‗green‘ electricity and heat.Anaerobic treatment offers
several advantages over aerobic alternatives:
 Low energy use
 Small reactor surface area
 Lower chemical usage
 Reduced sludge-handling costs
 Page 21 of 25

SLUDGE DISPOSAL

The solids that result from wastewater treatment may contain concentrated levels of
contaminants that were originally contained in the wastewater. A great deal of concern must
be directed to the proper disposal of these solids to protect environmental considerations.

Failure to do this may result in a mere shifting of the original pollutants in the waste stream to
the final disposal site where they may again become free to contaminate the environment.

A more reasonable approach to ultimate solids disposal is to view the sludge as a resource
that can be recycled or reused.

All the sewage sludge produced at a treatment plant must be disposed of ultimately.
Treatment processes such as have been described may reduce its volume or so change its
character as to facilitate its disposal, but still leave a residue which in most cases must be
removed from the plant site.

Like the liquid effluent from the treatment plant, there are two broad methods for the disposal
of sludge - (1) disposal in water, and (2) disposal on land. This applies regardless of whether
or not the sludge is treated to facilitate or permit the selected method of disposal.

1. Disposal in Water...

This is an economical but not common method because it is contingent on the availability of
bodies of water adequate to permit it. At some seacoast cities, sludge either raw or digested is
pumped to barges and carried to sea to be dumped in deep water far enough off shore to
provide huge dilution factors and prevent any ill effects along shore.

In the past few years there has been an increased problem of pollutional loads, well above
safe standards, affecting the south-shore beaches on Long Island, facilitating the closing of
the beaches to the public. Some of these pollutional loads have been attributed to sludge
deposits coming to shore form off-shore sludge barging operations.

Where barged to sea, the value of some treatment such as thickening or digestion, depends on
the relative cost of the treatment and savings in cost by barging smaller volumes, or the value
of gas produced by digestion.

2. Disposal on Land...

Under land disposal the following methods may be included :

- Burial.
- Fill.
- Application as fertilizer or soil conditioner.

Burial...

This method is used principally for raw sludge, where, unless covered by earth, serious odor
nuisances are created. The sludge is run into trenches two to three feet wide and about two
feet deep. The raw sludge in the trenches should be covered by at least 12 inches of earth.
Where large areas of land are available, burial of raw sludge is probably the most economical
 Page 22 of 25

method of sludge disposal as it eliminates the costs of all sludge treatment processes. It is,
however, rarely used and even then as a temporary makeshift because of the land area
required. The sludge in the trenches may remain moist and malodorous for years so that an
area once used cannot be reused for the same purpose or for any other purpose for a long
period of time.

Fill...

Use of sludge for fill is confined almost entirely to digested sludge which can be exposed to
the atmosphere without creating serious or widespread odor nuisances. The sludge should be
well digested without any appreciable amount of raw or undigested mixed with it.

Either wet or partially dewatered sludge, such as obtained from drying beds or vacuum filters
can be used to fill low areas. Where wet sludge is used the area becomes a sludge lagoon,
which has been discussed. When used as a method of disposal, the lagoon area is used only
until filled, and then abandoned. When used as a method of treatment, the sludge after some
drying, is removed for final disposal and the lagoon reused. Lagoons used for disposal are
usually fairly deep. Sludge is added in successive layers until the lagoon is completely filled.
Final disposal of digested sludge by lagoons is economical as it eliminates all dewatering
treatments.

It is applicable, however, only where low waste areas are available on the plant site or within
reasonable piping distance. They are frequently used to supplement inadequate drying bed
facilities.

Dewatered digested sludge from drying beds and vacuum filters can be disposed of by filling
low areas at the plant site or hauled to similar areas elsewhere without creating nuisances.

The ash from incinerators is usually disposed of by using it for fill. Where fill area is
available close to the incinerator, the ash can be made into a slurry with water when removed
from the ash hopper and pumped to the point of disposal. If the fill area is remote, the ash
should be sufficiently wet to suppress the dust and transported by truck or railroad cars to the
point of disposal.

Soil Conditioning or Fertilizer...

Sewage sludge contains many elements essential to plant life, such as nitrogen, phosphorous,
potassium, and in addition, at least traces of minor nutrients which are considered more or
less indispensable for plant growth, such as boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium,
manganese, sulfur, and zinc. In fact, sometimes these trace elements are found in
concentrations, perhaps from industrial wastes, which may be detrimental. The sludge humus,
besides furnishing plant food, benefits the soil by increasing the water holding capacity and
improving the tilth, thus making possible the working of heavy soils into satisfactory seed
beds. It also reduces soil erosion.

Soils vary in their requirements for fertilizer, but it appears that the elements essential for
plant growth may be divided into two groups : those which come from the air and water
freely and those which are found in the soil or have to be added at certain intervals. In the
first group are hydrogen, oxygen and carbon. In the second group are nitrogen, phosphorous
 Page 23 of 25

and potassium and several miscellaneous elements usually found in sufficient quantities in
the average soil, such as calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, manganese, and others. The major
fertilizing elements are nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium, and the amount of each
required depends on the soil, climatic conditions and crop.

Nitrogen is required by all plants, particularly where leaf development is required. Thus, it is
of great value in fertilizing grass, radishes, lettuce, spinach, and celery. It stimulates growth
of leaf and stem.

Phosphorous is essential in many phases of plant growth. It hastens ripening, encourages root
growth and increases resistance to disease.
Potassium is an important factor in vigorous growth. It develops the woody parts of stems
and pulps of fruits. It increases resistance to disease, but delays ripening and is needed in the
formation of chlorophyll.

Dried or dewatered sewage sludge makes an excellent soil conditioner and a good, though
incomplete fertilizer, unless fortified with nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium. Head dried,
raw activated sludge is the best sludge product, both chemically and hygienically, although
some odor may result from its use. Heat dried, digested sludge contains much less nitrogen
and is more valuable for its soil conditioning and building qualities than for its fertilizer
content. For some crops it is deleterious. It is practically odorless when well digested.

Sludge cake from vacuum filters, because of its pasty nature, cannot be readily spread on land
as a fertilizer or soil conditioner. It must be further air-dried. At some plants the sludge cake
is stockpiled on the plant site over winter. Freezing, thawing and air drying result in a
material which breaks up readily.

Digested sludge has been said to be somewhat comparable to farm manure in its content of
fertilizer constituents, their relative availability and the physical nature of the material.

Before sludge digestion was so widely adopted, the application of raw sludge to fields was
sometimes detrimental because the grease content was difficult for the soil to absorb and
caused it to become impervious. In digested sludge, however, fat has been reduced and
become so finely divided that it does not adversely affect the porosity of the soil.

The continued use of digested sludge tends to lower the pH value of soil and it is
recommended that either lime or ground limestone be applied occasionally.

In some tests it has been found that activated sludge used as an organic carrier for added
inorganic forms of nitrogen, has given better results for crops with a short growing season
than activated sludge alone. The inorganic nitrogen is quickly available while that from the
organic portion is available more slowly and lasts over a period of time.

In Binghamton, New York, the application of underwatered anaerobically digested sludge to

crop land has produced a desirable corn crop for livestock feed.

There is a potential hazard of transmission of parasitic infections with air-dried digestion

sludges as a result of handling the sludge or from sludge contaminated vegetables eaten raw.
Spreading of digested sludge in the fall and allowing it to freeze in cold climates in the winter
is believed helpful in killing these organisms. Heat-dried sludge is considered safe for use
 Page 24 of 25

under all conditions because of the destructive action of heat upon bacteria.

In summary, it may be well to quote from Van Kleeck who has worked personally with
sewage sludges and who has studied and written much on the subject :
Raw primary sludge, unless composted, is unsatisfactory as a soil conditioner because of its
effect on the soil and on growing plants, and because of the health hazards involved.
Raw activated sludge, after heat drying, is established as a superior sludge product. Such
sludge retains most of its organic solids and it contains more nitrogen than other sludges.
Digested sludges from all sewage treatment processes are materials of moderate but definite
value as a source of slowly available nitrogen and some phosphorous. They are comparable
with farm yard manure except for a deficiency of potash. Their principal value is the humus
content resulting in increased moisture-holding capacity of the soil and a change in soil
structure which results in a greater friability.

3. Composting...

Composting can be defined as the aerobic thermophilic decomposition of organic wastes to a

relatively stable humus. Decomposition results from the biological activity of
microorganisms which exist in the waste. A good compost could contain up to 2 percent
nitrogen, about 1 percent phosphoric acid, and many trace elements. Its most valuable
features, however, are not its nutrient content, but its moisture retaining and humus forming
properties.

Many types of microorganisms are involved in converting the complex organic compounds
such as carbohydrates and proteins into simpler materials, but the bacteria, actinomycetes,
and fungi, predominate. These organisms function in a composting environment that is
optimized by copying the natural decomposition process of nature where, with an adequate
air supply, the organic solids are biochemically degraded to stable humus and minerals.

Compost is generally considered as a material to be used in conjunction with fertilizer, rather

than as a replacement for fertilizer unless it is fortified with additional chemical nutrients.

Compost benefits the soil by replenishing the humus, improving the soil structure, and
providing useful nutrients and minerals. It is particularly useful on old, depleted soils and
soils that are drought-sensitive. In horticulture applications, compost has been useful on
heavy soils as well as sandy and peat soil. It has been commonly applied to parks and gardens
because it increases the soil water absorbing capacity and improves the soil structure.

Parameters : All composting processes attempt to create a suitable environment for

thermophilic facultative aerobic microorganisms. If the environmental conditions for
biological decomposition are appropriate, a wide variety of organic wastes can be composted.
The most important criteria for successful composting are: (1) complete mixing of organic
solids, (2) nearly uniform particle size, (3) adequate aeration, (4) proper moisture content, (5)
proper temperature and pH, and (6) proper carbon-nitrogen ratio in the raw solids.

The smaller the particles, the more rapidly they will decompose; size is controlled by
grinding. Air is necessary for aerobic organisms to function in a fast, odor-free manner.
Aeration is enhanced by blending wastes to form a porous solids structure in the composting
materials. Some composting systems use blowers while others aerate by frequent turning of
compost placed in windows and bins. The solids to be composted must not, of course, contain
 Page 25 of 25

high concentrations of materials toxic to the decomposing microorganisms.

A proper moisture content is the most important composting criteria. Microorganisms need
moisture to function but too much moisture can cause the process to become anaerobic and
develop the characteristic odor and slow decomposition rate associated with anaerobic
processes. Composting mixtures should have a pH near 7 (neutral) for optimum efficiency.
The temperatures vary a great deal but those in the thermophilic range (greater than 110°F)
produce a more rapid rate of decomposition than those in the lower mesophilic range. Higher
temperatures also cause a more efficient destruction of pathogenic organisms and weed seeds.

An essential requirement of the composting process is control of the ratio of carbon to

nitrogen in the raw materials. Microorganisms need both carbon and nitrogen, but they must
be available in the proper amounts of decomposition will be prolonged.
The time required to complete composting varies, depending on the climate, materials
composted, the degree of mechanization, whether the process is enclosed, and the desired
moisture content of the final product. Composting detention times from a couple of weeks to
several months have been reported.

Composting Materials : Many types of wet solids have been successfully used in composting
operations. These include sewage sludge, cannery solids, pharmaceutical sludge, and meat
packing wastes. Sewage sludge has been frequently used as an additive when composting dry
refuse and garbage. It enhances the composting operation because :
- It serves as a seeding material to encourage biological action.
- It helps to control the moisture content in the composting mixture.
- It enhances the value of the compost by contributing nitrogen and other nutrients.
- It can be used to control the important carbon/nitrogen ratio.
Normally, blending sewage sludge with other compost raw materials required prior
dewatering of the sludge. If the dewatering step is omitted, the moisture content of the
mixture is too high and odors develop. Reducing sludge moisture from 90 to 70 percent by
vacuum filtration or centrifugation allows good aerobic composting with garbage at a blended
moisture content of 53 percent.

In favorable climates, the composting of digested sludge with sawdust, straw, and wood
shavings has been successful.